Last month, for the first time ever in Bergen / Hudson Counties, Ossiofiber® staples were implanted in a patient at Hudson Regional Hospital for a fusion of two bones of the foot.
If one requires foot or ankle surgery, whether it be elective or non elective, the standard of care has been metal. Titanium, nickel and stainless steel are the most common materials used as orthopedic implants. However, metal often causes pain, patients can have an allergic sensitivity, or it needs to be removed at a later date.
But not anymore…
Previously I have written about Ossiofiber materials in this column. OSSIOfiber® Compression Staples are made with OSSIOfiber® Intelligent Bone Regeneration Technology, a proprietary bio-integrative mineral fiber matrix, providing surgeons with a biologically friendly way to restore patient stability and mobility while leaving no permanent hardware behind.
Thanks to Oran Preiss-Bloom, COO and founder of Ossio (and TABC alumnus, 1999), OSSIOfiber® provides the first credible solution to the shortcomings of permanent metal hardware and conventional resorbable and allograft implants, combining unparalleled mechanical strength and natural bone healing in a non-permanent implant.
Designed for predictable bone in-growth, regeneration and replacement, OSSIOfiber® Intelligent Bone Regeneration Technology is a first-of-its-kind implant material stronger than cortical bone. OSSIOfiber® is engineered to provide the strength required for functional fixation and allows for full integration into the native anatomy without adverse biological response. OSSIOfiber® implants utilize existing reimbursement and surgical techniques.
Over the last several years, they have molded this material into nails, screws, pins and bone anchors. Recently, the OSSIOfiber® staple was created. Orthopedic staples are used often in foot and ankle surgery as they help with bone healing and fusion.
My patient from Bergenfield had many years of bilateral painful foot arthritis. She had undergone left foot surgery several years ago, which was quite an experience for her. She had one plate and seven screws, all made from metal, inserted into her foot to obtain the fusion she needed. Although her long term outcome was satisfactory, the postoperative course and the need for removal of several screws made her very hesitant to proceed with her right foot, which had worsened. I explained to her what Ossiofiber® is, and how the staples would be perfect for the procedure she needed. The best part is the technique for this procedure does not change a bit … just the implant material. When she heard that there was no more metal being inserted into her foot and no need for possible removal of the metal, she agreed to proceed.
The patient is now several weeks post surgery, recovering well and is having an easier postoperative course than last time. She is also at ease knowing another surgery to remove the implants is not forthcoming!
She added, “I only wish that more hospitals and insurance companies would see the value in this innovative technology so more people can benefit from it immediately”.
About OSSIO
OSSIO is an orthopedic fixation company committed to transforming the orthopedic experience for patients, physicians, providers and payors. Founded in 2014, its vision is to provide the first credible replacement to metal implants in the multi-billion dollar global orthopedic fixation market with its OSSIOfiber® Intelligent Bone Regeneration Technology. OSSIO’s development headquarters is located in Caesarea, Israel, and its commercial headquarters is in Woburn, Massachusetts.
Dr. Daniel Popowitz is a podiatrist and the chief of foot and ankle surgery at The Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders with offices in NY and NJ. Dr. Popowitz treats all types of foot and ankle conditions, both surgical and non-surgical. He is one of the first surgeons in NY and NJ using ossiofiber® implants in foot and ankle surgery. If he can help your feet in any way, reach out to the office at 2015103777 or community liaison Elianna Kranz at 2018002074 or [email protected].
Wishing you the best of health!
